LEBANON / REFUGEES CASH ASSISTANCE

23-Apr-2018
00:02:00

Manar, a single mother of three, is among Lebanon’s vulnerable refugees who benefit from the cash assistance provided by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), helping her ensure her children’s education. UNHCR

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1. Various shots, Manar removing the laundry from the cable
2. Various shots, Manar walking with her kids
3. Various shots, Manar at an ATM
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Manar Al Sayer, Syrian refugee:
‘’The cash assistance allows me to pay for my children’s school transport.’’
5. Pan right, Manar’s three kids coming down from car and greeting their mother in front of their house
6. Med shot, family climbing stairs
7. Wide shot, Manar helping her kids with homework
8. Med shot, Manar’s daughter Oussaima taking a book out of her back pack
9. Close up, Manar’s son Abdullah writing
10. Various shots, ICRC staff giving credit card to refugee in distribution center
11. Wide shot, the distribution center with refugees
12. Close up, refugee lady being screen at the distribution center
13. Close up, baby sitting on her mother’s lap
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Tarek Al Haddad, UNHCR Field Associate:
“They’re able to go to the bank whenever they want to withdraw the money, so it gives them dignity. It gives them the freedom of choice and it’s really important for them.’’
15. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Manar Al Sayer, Syrian refugee:
‘’I don’t feel humiliated and I don’t need to beg anyone for money.’’
16. Various shots, people in waiting room of a distribution center

STORYLINE

Manar, a single mother of three, is among Lebanon’s vulnerable refugees who benefit from the cash assistance provided by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), helping her ensure her children’s education.

Manar Al Sayer, a mother of three came to Lebanon in 2013, as a refugee.

Two years later, her husband who was the sole provider for the family, passed away, leaving his family strapped for cash.

Vulnerable refugees who are eligible for UNHCR’s monthly assistance in Lebanon are now receiving direct cash-based aid. In 2018, the UN Refugee Agency is providing monthly cash assistance (USD175 per month) to almost 33,000 households, amounting to USD70 million in cash.

UNHCR has pioneered the provision of humanitarian assistance through ATM cards. This approach has allowed refugees to contribute to the local economy by purchasing directly from local merchants and has given them control on how to respond to their immediate needs.

The refugees receive a message on their mobile phones to invite them to cash distributions across the country. At the distribution site, refugees receive their card, pin and instructions on how to withdraw money from ATMs.

SOUNDBITE (English) Tarek Al Haddad, UNHCR Field Associate:
“They’re able to go to the bank whenever they want to withdraw the money, so it gives them dignity. It gives them the freedom of choice and it’s really important for them.’’